HOMEMADE PLEDGE

I have been reflecting on the blessings in my life and I am reminded that I have much to be thankful for. My cousin Robbin reminded me that we have been through a lot this past year. We have been tested many times this past year; yet, the blessings still keep coming!

No matter what difficulty has crossed our paths we have come up on top due to God's Grace! This is because we have trusted and surrendered to God in all aspects of our lives.............

So on this Thanksgiving I will have a very thankful heart and remain faithful! May we all continue to be blessed with God's perfect grace!

Heck it isn't even Thanksgiving and I am bidding farewell to fall. What's up with that? Well, a couple of things actually.

I have been working on my Christmas cards since October. Yes, October. I thought that while I was recuperating I could have my cards printed, scheduled our photo session, update my Xmas Card List( that has been a chore), and getting the cards ready to put in the mail. Well, the christmas card tradition is more difficult than it seems due to a list of 200.

Yes, I know what you are thinking............we do .....know that many people!!! From all the staffs Charlie's has been on, friends we have met along the way, relatives, and others the list has grown over the years. The difficult part of all of this is, that in the Football Business-coaches move a lot and there are always new addresses! Tracking these down is not always the easiest thing; but, it has to be done.............so this takes time & patience!!!!!

Secondly, there is the garage cleaning & Christmas inventory is occurring now. And, everywhere I go-people are thinking about Christmas. Last night, I went to a floral supply mart and a girl told me her tree is already up. What!!!! Yes, her tree is already up. Well, I won't go that far but; it is happening earlier and earlier. I am now motivated to finalize my decorating plans because I have ordered my tree(a 15 footer from the U.P. of Michigan) and have scheduled professional help with getting the lights on this baby! Last year Camille and I put the lights on the tree and it was pretty scary. We didn't do the greatest job because we were afraid we would fall. And me being the biggest "klutz" is was only a matter of time before this happened!!!!

But, the other thing that has gotten me in the mood is this:

A holiday swag for my front doors. I actually have two of them because I have double glass entry way doors. Next I hope to make a matching garland for my entry way staircase. What better way to get in the spirit of the upcoming season?

I have been contemplating beginning a holiday decorating business.. I just am pondering how to get started and what methods of marketing I would utilize. I know it is late for this year............but, I can always plan ahead for the future..............

However, with all the craziness and fun that this time of year we must remember the true reason for the season!

I won't forget to mention that I have yet to go to a game; but, I am still cheering for the team. Especially when we are winning!

It has been a busy last couple of days.

A friend from Atlanta arrived on Thursday, when I though she was coming on Friday.

Cleaning my garage.

My cousins came to town for the Houston Rockets vs. Miami Heat game.

Well, the stressful/busy part was the garage situation. It is a situation because I still cannot lift anything...........and I mean anything. The garage is also filled to the rim with stuff! And I mean stuff.............stuff from three moves that we cannot seem to part with and other stuff we acquired along the way.

My intentions to clean my garage were two fold. First to find my Christmas decorations and secondly, to donate some of them to charity. I have tons of decorations that I no longer use so I want to donate them to a needy family, elderly person, or senior citizen center. Its hard to get rid of nice things; but, you have to give to others to receive more blessings in return. So, I trudge on going through all this "stuff." Hopefully, Charlie and I can make someones holiday happy!

Sometime ago I mentioned removable wall art for your home. Well, I finally ordered one for myself. This is what it looks like:

This is a transfer that I put on the wall in my cabana bath. I had a little trouble getting it up on the wall because I originally rubbed the transfer the incorrect way. But, its up there a little crooked..............but up there.

I am trying to get this bathroom decorated- but it still isn't there yet. Here's a couple other things going on in this room:

I bought these items in Minnesota when I visited last year. And this I found on EBAY:

The bathroom is long and narrow and I just cannot figure out what else I need in there. It really is the last room that I need to finish. So if you have any suggestions let me know!

I also found this little cart at an antique shoppe. Isn't it cute:

And rugs are from Anthropologie:

If you haven't checked these out....... yet run to your local book store.

***The December issue of Home Companion Magazine!

***Country Home Holiday Magazine with Matthew Mead-lots of cool ideas.

Haven't posted in a while-why? Because yesterday I was feeling blue and secondly, I was working on a few Christmas gifts. Yes, Christmas gifts............everything that I work on lately are XMAS gifts! This is suppose to be fun.........but, sometimes it isn't because I like to create different things each time I make something. Each of these gifts is a personalized but a version of the original one. So, I get bored and want to move onto something else..........but, I am trying to stay focused. To stay on task! To make the most of my day..........

Which brings me to my second point of feeling blue! I have been trying hard to be productive-to get things done. Yet, getting things donen't doesn't include "getting things done around my house or day-to-day life." This is too boring!!!! I want to do something creative or make a difference!

YES, I THINK I NEED A JOB! Yes, not any job.........a job where I can use my talents and abilities( if I truly have some)?? A job where I can make a difference. I keep thinking that I didn't go to school to receive my Masters Degree to sit home. For fifteen years I was a integral part of recruiting students for a university of 42,000 students. I set targets, designed marketing plans, managed staffs, determined peoples futures. Now, I am managing my home and 4 doggies.

Time to get a life...........like owning my own business again. Or work to help others. SOMETHING!!!!! So I am praying about it and hope that the right direction will come my way. As an old colleague once told me "When you reach a fork in the road.....take it!"

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REMEMBER: Get out and Vote-Tuesday, November 7th! Your vote counts and you can make a difference.................voting is a priviledge! Exercise your right to vote!

Shout out to our Dolphins! Great victory yesterday against the Chicago Bears. Dolphins Rocked The House!

Time for a little GIRLS NIGHT OUT!!!! My house of course for fun, laughter, and Bunco. Yes, we know how to let our hair down and have a good time. A few wine glasses broken, red wine spilled, and lots of eating & shouting. And best of all "No BOYS ALLOWED."

Seventeen women having a good time-what else could you ask for..................................?!?!

I like the song "I Call It Love" but I was never a huge fan of his.(especially after he cheated on his first wife). But, the other day I popped this CD in and it motivated me while I was cleaning my house. Yes, cleaning...................organizing my craft room, cleaning my 2 ovens, doing laundry, and much more! Can you believe it.......motivated to clean! So if you need some movtivation : run not walk to get this CD. I think I might need to get myself some more CD's very soon.

Well, now I have decided I need an IPOD-so I can download all my all time favorite songs-and especially Christmas music. I love holiday music and this would be a great way to add to my collection. I was in Best Buy the other day and I saw this:

and then I would love to have the Bose SoundDock to play my music on:

Yes, I think I really need this.........so Charlie if you are reading this add this to the top of my Christmas List! I'm not sure I can wait until Christmas...........it might have to be an early gift!